Created in a Canadian hospital, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a cannabis oil known for its medical benefits, including relieving some cancer symptoms. It has a dark brown color and a thick consistency. You can apply it as a topical or consume it in an edible. Continue reading as we describe who Rick Simpson is and why he created this oil, its use, and tips for making your cannabis oil.
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Who is Rick Simpson?
A Canadian engineer and scientist named Rick Simpson was initially diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and later began to research the impact of THC on cancer cells. His invaluable service created a potent cannabis oil that he applied topically to the skin cancer, and after four days, his main claim was that the cancerous cells had disappeared. After this, Simpson cultivated and harvested his own cannabis plants and created more cannabis oils.
What are the benefits?
Supporters claim that Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) can potentially treat cancer and some other symptoms, including:
- high blood pressure
- chronic inflammation
- arthritis
- asthma
- multiple sclerosis
- drug addiction
- anxiety
- depression
Can Rick Simpson Oil treat cancer?
There is evidence from early research that Rick Simpson Oil may be beneficial for specific individuals, but more research is crucial to provide solid evidence as a recommended cancer treatment. As more clinical trials and studies on the endocannabinoid system and the impact of medical cannabis continue, we’ll better understand how the cannabis compounds in RSO can help treat diseases, including cancer.
Peer-Reviewed Studies
Rick Simpson decided to give cannabis oil a try after researching a 1975 study that tested the reaction of cannabinoids in mice with lung cancer. The clinical assessment found that both THC and another cannabinoid called cannabinol slowed the cancerous growths in the mice.
A 2014 study on mice with terminal acute lymphoblastic leukemia looked into the effects of THC and CBD extracts alongside radiation therapy. The cannabis extract treatment seemed to increase the effectiveness of radiation against aggressive brain cancer. The preclinical and clinical assessment suggests that THC and CBD may help to prepare cancer cells to respond to radiation therapy effectively.
More recently, there have been early-stage clinical trials involving human participants with cancer. While these studies have shown that cannabinoids are safe for cancer patients, they don’t wholly demonstrate if weed can help treat or control cancer.
A case report from 2013 involves a 14-year-old-girl with a specific type of leukemia. The girl’s family worked with Rick Simpson to create a cannabinoid resin extract, referred to as hemp oil, which she took daily. She eventually tried using some other oils from different sources with mixed results. However, the hemp oils appeared to treat her cancer, though she died approximately two months into the treatment from an unrelated gastrointestinal condition, making it difficult to conclude the long-term effects of cannabis on cancer.
While many of these results are promising for anticancer effects, more long-term studies on other forms of cancer from the National Cancer Institute are needed to fully understand how different cannabinoids and cannabis strains affect cancer cells and potentially other factors that are unknown.
Does Rick Simpson Oil contain THC?
Yes, Rick Simpson Oil has extremely high THC content, often containing up to sixty percent or higher concentrations. If you’re looking for cannabis products with no THC, wellness professionals recommend CBD topicals as the best option for cancerous spots.
Potential Risks
Rick Simpson Oil carries similar risks as other THC cannabis oil, but possibly even more so as it can be a more intense psychoactive substance. The potential risks include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Coordination issues
- Dry or Red eyes
- Slowed cognitive function
- Impaired memory
- Extreme fatigue
Remember to avoid driving when using RSO and other THC cannabis oils, and seek medical attention if you begin to experience severe side effects from using Rick Simpson Oil. In addition, there are many potential drug interactions to consider before using RSO with other medications. Antidepressants, opioids, and sedatives are a few examples that can negatively interact with Rick Simpson cannabis oil.
How long does RSO take to work?
Rick Simpson oil may take at least one to two hours to begin its effect. Effects generally last four to six hours with an average dosage. Patients with approved health conditions may take three doses daily; morning, afternoon, and before bedtime. Because it’s highly potent, we recommend giving it three to four weeks before attempting to increase treatment dosage.
Dosage Information
Rick Simpson provided instructions for dosage in the hopes that one patient could gradually consume sixty grams of cannabis oils over ninety days. He suggests starting with a dose half the size of a dry rice grain three times a day. RSO is highly potent with THC as its main psychoactive cannabinoid, which is why your first dose should be small so your body can gradually adjust. He then recommends that you double your amount every four days for the first five weeks.
As you consume more, your body will naturally build up a tolerance. Like most forms of cannabis ingested orally, the effects may take up to an hour to feel the effects. Simpson says the maximum dose you should consume is a gram, and you should continue with this dose for the remainder of the twelve weeks.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is extracted from the stems, flowers, and leaves of the hemp plant. CBD can be extracted from marijuana plants as well. Marijuana-based CBD has not been approved at a federal level, however, is legal under some state laws.
CBD oil can often refer to products that are made from marijuana plants which typically do contain high amounts of CBD at least compared to hemp plant material. CBD can be extracted from both marijuana and hemp plants. Full-spectrum CBD is marijuana that contains higher concentrations of cannabinoids than hemp by weight so this results in a much more potent cannabis product when using a concentrated form.
Six Best Strains for making RSO
- Platinum OG
- Purple Punch
- Blue Cheese
- Strawberry Banana
- Northern Lights
- LA Confidential
– How Can Sativa be Used in Conjunction with Rick Simpson Oil?
When considering how to use Rick Simpson Oil, many people wonder, what is sativa and how can it be incorporated? Sativa strains are typically energizing and uplifting, making them a great choice for daytime use when combined with RSO. The combination offers a balance of therapeutic benefits for cannabis users.
Homemade Rick Simpson Oil Recipe
The process of making a Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) involves:
- Mix highly purified alcohol with dried cannabis material to create a solvent
- Strain the solvent to get rid of the remaining plant material
- Heat the solvent to remove the alcohol completely and any other contaminants present in the solvent
- Once all the alcohol is gone, the result is a thick, sticky, dark brown oil that can be used alone or in edibles
Please remember that making cannabis oil at home is potentially dangerous due to toxic fumes, so we do not recommend that you attempt the process without authoritative experiences.
Get Your Medical Card for RSO Oil
There are a few things you need to know if you are applying for a medical cannabis card to legally purchase Rick Simpson’s Oil:
A MMJ card is a document a medical patient is issued after going through an evaluation and application process that allows them to consume, purchase, possess, and grow marijuana for use in managing their medical condition.
Only certain medical conditions will qualify for a marijuana card. The list of conditions varies from place to place, so you will need to check with your state guidelines to determine if you are suffering from an eligible condition to be granted a medical card.
There are a variety of marijuana telemedicine providers that can connect patients with licensed medical marijuana doctors in their state. From there, in some cases, the entire consultation and application process can be done online. Keep in mind that this is dependent upon the state one lives in, the MMJ process in that state, and what marijuana telehealth providers are available to service that state.
Applying for a medical marijuana card online may still require a physical visit to a doctor. Depending on your state and the telehealth providers available you may be able to have your doctor fill out a certification form and then fill out an online application for a medical marijuana card.
While it’s not a magic cure to kill cancer cells or relieve severe pain, popular articles do suggest that Rick Simpson Oil has helped treat cancer symptoms and can offer chronic pain sufferers a chance to live a better life. Leafy Mate can help you obtain a medical cannabis card so that you can try its’ anti-cancer agents for yourself.
